TOPEKA —Gov. Laura Kelly has issued a State of Disaster Emergency declaration due to a high risk of wildland fires and red flag warnings in the majority of Kansas counties. Dry and windy weather is in the forecast for the rest of the week, resulting in anticipated critical fire weather conditions. The weather conditions quickly dry out dead grass and other fuels, making them receptive to new fire starts or rekindles from controlled burns. The combination of dry fuels and wind-driven fires are more challenging and difficult to control. The declaration authorizes the use of state resources and personnel to assist with response and recovery operations in affected counties that meet certain criteria. "Fire season is in full-force and we must all do our part to protect our fellow Kansans," Kelly said. "Exercise caution and not do any burning at this time. Remember it only takes a spark to start a fire that can quickly get out of control with the high winds." The Kansas Division of Emergency Management State Emergency Operations Center is monitoring the situation and will assist counties with requests for state assistance.&nbsp; Kansas Forest Service personnel and contracted Air Tanker 95 are assisting with fires in Reno County. "Interagency coordination of resources at a state level increases firefighter and public safety when large wildfires occur - which is our top priority," said Mark Neely, State Fire Management Officer with KFS. With several days of fire weather concerns throughout Kansas, resources will be limited. "We ask all Kansans to do your part in preventing and immediately reporting wildfires. We are faced with back-to-back days of elevated fire weather this week and resources are likely to be stretched thin with multiple fires burning across the state today," said Neely. KFS staff is dispersed across the state to monitor fire conditions and behavior. They are available to provide assistance as requested.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616982127323.png" alt="Deputies block traffic due to a wild fire Sunday in Reno County" />
 <figcaption>Deputies block traffic due to a wild fire Sunday in Reno County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Gov. Laura Kelly has issued a State of Disaster Emergency declaration due to a high risk of wildland fires and red flag warnings in the majority of Kansas counties. Dry and windy weather is in the forecast for the rest of the week, resulting in anticipated critical fire weather conditions. The weather conditions quickly dry out dead grass and other fuels, making them receptive to new fire starts or rekindles from controlled burns. The combination of dry fuels and wind-driven fires are more challenging and difficult to control. The declaration authorizes the use of state resources and personnel to assist with response and recovery operations in affected counties that meet certain criteria. "Fire season is in full-force and we must all do our part to protect our fellow Kansans," Kelly said. "Exercise caution and not do any burning at this time. Remember it only takes a spark to start a fire that can quickly get out of control with the high winds." The Kansas Division of Emergency Management State Emergency Operations Center is monitoring the situation and will assist counties with requests for state assistance.&nbsp; Kansas Forest Service personnel and contracted Air Tanker 95 are assisting with fires in Reno County. "Interagency coordination of resources at a state level increases firefighter and public safety when large wildfires occur - which is our top priority," said Mark Neely, State Fire Management Officer with KFS. With several days of fire weather concerns throughout Kansas, resources will be limited. "We ask all Kansans to do your part in preventing and immediately reporting wildfires. We are faced with back-to-back days of elevated fire weather this week and resources are likely to be stretched thin with multiple fires burning across the state today," said Neely. KFS staff is dispersed across the state to monitor fire conditions and behavior. They are available to provide assistance as requested.

Gov. issues state of disaster emergency for Kan. wildfires

Topeka – The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) announced Monday&nbsp; that unemployment insurance claimants can once again apply for the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program online <a href="https://www.getkansasbenefits.gov/Home.aspx">CLICK HERE.</a>

Claimants who would like to file for PEUC should login to their account, select the “Apply for PEUC” option and follow the instructions.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides for a PEUC extension through the week ending Sept. 4, 2021, and will provide up to an additional 29 weeks of an individual’s calculated weekly benefit amount. The first week for which this extension may be paid is the week ending March 20, 2021. 

The last payable week of PEUC in Kansas is the week ending Sept. 4, 2021. Eligible claimants must continue to file their weekly claims in order to receive benefits.

Since March 15, 2020, KDOL has paid out over 4.2 million weekly claims totaling over $2.8 billion between regular unemployment and the federal pandemic programs. 

For more information, or to apply for unemployment benefits <a href="https://www.getkansasbenefits.gov/Home.aspx">Click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610733397386.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Topeka – The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) announced Monday&nbsp; that unemployment insurance claimants can once again apply for the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program online <a href="https://www.getkansasbenefits.gov/Home.aspx">CLICK HERE.</a>Claimants who would like to file for PEUC should login to their account, select the “Apply for PEUC” option and follow the instructions.The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides for a PEUC extension through the week ending Sept. 4, 2021, and will provide up to an additional 29 weeks of an individual’s calculated weekly benefit amount. The first week for which this extension may be paid is the week ending March 20, 2021. The last payable week of PEUC in Kansas is the week ending Sept. 4, 2021. Eligible claimants must continue to file their weekly claims in order to receive benefits.Since March 15, 2020, KDOL has paid out over 4.2 million weekly claims totaling over $2.8 billion between regular unemployment and the federal pandemic programs. For more information, or to apply for unemployment benefits <a href="https://www.getkansasbenefits.gov/Home.aspx">Click here.</a>

KDOL: Unemployed in Kan. can apply for PEUC again

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A former Jackson County sheriff’s deputy who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/b16ac54e69df421d98544503fcaf726f">shot a woman</a>&nbsp;in the back, wounding her, has been sentenced to 180 days in jail and four years of probation.

Lauren N. Michael, 31, was sentenced Thursday for the Aug. 8, 2019, shooting of Brittany Simek in downtown Kansas City.

That shooting came two years after Michael shot and killed a suspected shoplifter at a Raytown Walmart while working as an off-duty security guard. No charges were filed in that shooting.

In the 2019 shooting, Michael said she confronted Simek after seeing her riding a Bird scooter in the wrong direction. She said Simek resisted arrest and was able to stun Michael with the deputy’s stun gun. Michael said she then shot Simek with her firearm because she feared Simek would take it from her, too.

Simek’s version of events differed greatly from Michael’s. Simek testified that her hands were in the air when Michael pulled her to the ground and used a stun gun on her. She said she reacted by pushing away from Michael and running, and was then shot in the back, prosecutors said.

Investigators said the evidence did not support Michael’s version of events. Cartridges from the stun gun had been deployed within 3 seconds, which was not enough time for the struggle Michael described, prosecutors said.

Michael&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/16d7e695fe5bf83925470571403565e8">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;in January to first-degree assault. She did not make a statement during the hearing.

Prosecutors had sought a six-year sentence for Michael, saying she was “absolutely unreasonable” when she shot Simek in the back.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1570669855180.png" alt="Lauren Michael-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Lauren Michael-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A former Jackson County sheriff’s deputy who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/b16ac54e69df421d98544503fcaf726f">shot a woman</a>&nbsp;in the back, wounding her, has been sentenced to 180 days in jail and four years of probation.Lauren N. Michael, 31, was sentenced Thursday for the Aug. 8, 2019, shooting of Brittany Simek in downtown Kansas City.That shooting came two years after Michael shot and killed a suspected shoplifter at a Raytown Walmart while working as an off-duty security guard. No charges were filed in that shooting.In the 2019 shooting, Michael said she confronted Simek after seeing her riding a Bird scooter in the wrong direction. She said Simek resisted arrest and was able to stun Michael with the deputy’s stun gun. Michael said she then shot Simek with her firearm because she feared Simek would take it from her, too.Simek’s version of events differed greatly from Michael’s. Simek testified that her hands were in the air when Michael pulled her to the ground and used a stun gun on her. She said she reacted by pushing away from Michael and running, and was then shot in the back, prosecutors said.Investigators said the evidence did not support Michael’s version of events. Cartridges from the stun gun had been deployed within 3 seconds, which was not enough time for the struggle Michael described, prosecutors said.Michael&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/16d7e695fe5bf83925470571403565e8">pleaded guilty</a>&nbsp;in January to first-degree assault. She did not make a statement during the hearing.Prosecutors had sought a six-year sentence for Michael, saying she was “absolutely unreasonable” when she shot Simek in the back.

Former deputy sentenced for shooting Kansas City woman

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 429 to a total of 301,862, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4902, an increase of 11.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 429 to a total of 301,862, the state health department reported Monday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4902, an increase of 11.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617037396845.png" alt="Monday March 29, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Monday March 29, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

What went from a 3-2 vote in favor of keeping the mask mandate in Barton County last week, went to a 3-2 vote to rescind the requirement Monday as the Barton County Commission met as the local Board of Health. Barton County is lifting the mask mandate effective at 12 p.m. Monday, March 29, and any future possible mandate from Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly within the next week. While Commissioners Kirby Krier and Shawn Hutchinson supported rescinding the mandate at last week’s meeting, Barb Esfeld noted she wanted time to hear from her constituents on the matter. Esfeld said she received more than 50 emails and phone calls in that time and only three were in favor of keeping the mask requirement. Esfeld, Krier and Hutchinson all voted to eliminate the mandate. Hutchinson mentioned the mask mandate has been on his mind before he became a commissioner this past January. "I respected the decision even though I disagreed with it," Hutchinson said. "I know our citizens are capable of using common sense and common courtesies, making a mandate an overreach of our powers. I believe after a year of this, we all know the universal precautions and can follow them without any sort of government intervention."&nbsp; Barton County passed the county-wide mask mandate that went into effect Nov. 25. Around that time, there were over 300 active cases of COVID-19 within the county. According the latest report, there are currently eight active cases. Commissioners Jennifer Schartz and Jim Daily voted to keep the mandate in place. Schartz, the former Public Information Officer for USD 428 in Great Bend, talked with the district’s superintendent Khris Thexton. "He (Thexton) said at the very least, he would like to see the mask mandate run through the Easter holiday," Schartz said. "He would really prefer it remain through the end of school because his No. 1 concern is just finishing the school year. If the numbers get out of whack because of a decision we made, he is afraid they will have to stop the school year and go to remote learning." The commission made it clear in a second motion to opt out of any possible statewide mandate that might come from the governor by the end of the month. Businesses, organizations and cities can still require the use of masks within their building or jurisdiction if they choose.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617034362447.jpeg" alt="The Barton County Commission voted 3-2 to eliminate the mask mandate effective March 29, 2021 at noon." />
 <figcaption>The Barton County Commission voted 3-2 to eliminate the mask mandate effective March 29, 2021 at noon.</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostWhat went from a 3-2 vote in favor of keeping the mask mandate in Barton County last week, went to a 3-2 vote to rescind the requirement Monday as the Barton County Commission met as the local Board of Health. Barton County is lifting the mask mandate effective at 12 p.m. Monday, March 29, and any future possible mandate from Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly within the next week. While Commissioners Kirby Krier and Shawn Hutchinson supported rescinding the mandate at last week’s meeting, Barb Esfeld noted she wanted time to hear from her constituents on the matter. Esfeld said she received more than 50 emails and phone calls in that time and only three were in favor of keeping the mask requirement. Esfeld, Krier and Hutchinson all voted to eliminate the mandate. Hutchinson mentioned the mask mandate has been on his mind before he became a commissioner this past January. "I respected the decision even though I disagreed with it," Hutchinson said. "I know our citizens are capable of using common sense and common courtesies, making a mandate an overreach of our powers. I believe after a year of this, we all know the universal precautions and can follow them without any sort of government intervention."&nbsp; Barton County passed the county-wide mask mandate that went into effect Nov. 25. Around that time, there were over 300 active cases of COVID-19 within the county. According the latest report, there are currently eight active cases. Commissioners Jennifer Schartz and Jim Daily voted to keep the mandate in place. Schartz, the former Public Information Officer for USD 428 in Great Bend, talked with the district’s superintendent Khris Thexton. "He (Thexton) said at the very least, he would like to see the mask mandate run through the Easter holiday," Schartz said. "He would really prefer it remain through the end of school because his No. 1 concern is just finishing the school year. If the numbers get out of whack because of a decision we made, he is afraid they will have to stop the school year and go to remote learning." The commission made it clear in a second motion to opt out of any possible statewide mandate that might come from the governor by the end of the month. Businesses, organizations and cities can still require the use of masks within their building or jurisdiction if they choose.

Barton County Commission votes to end mask mandate 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is extending a federal moratorium on evictions of tenants who have fallen behind on rent during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday moved to continue the pandemic-related protection, which had been scheduled to expire on Wednesday. The moratorium is now extended through the end of June.

The ban, initially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/1eb82db82ec722d329e52eff638c797f">put in place last year</a>, provides protection for renters out of concern that having families lose their homes and move into shelters or share crowded conditions with relatives or friends during the pandemic would further spread the highly contagious virus, which has&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html" target="_blank">killed more than 545,000 people</a>&nbsp;in the United States.

To be eligible for the housing protection, renters must earn $198,000 annually or less for couples filing jointly, or $99,000 for single filers; demonstrate that they’ve sought government help to pay the rent; declare that they can’t pay because of COVID-19 hardships; and affirm they are likely to become homeless if evicted.

In February, President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-extends-ban-housing-foreclosure-6d16be8ce051c394ae1813c57da6727d">extended a ban on housing foreclosures</a>&nbsp;to June 30 to help homeowners struggling during the pandemic.

Housing advocates had generally expected the extension of the tenant eviction moratorium and had been lobbying the Biden administration, saying it was too early in the country’s economic recovery to let the ban lapse.

John Pollock, coordinator of the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel, said last week that the moratorium was “the only thing holding back the flood” of evictions that would spiral through the still-shaky American economy.

Pollack said current surveys show that 18.4% of all tenants owe back rent. That number also revealed significant racial disparity: The percentage of Black tenants behind on their rent was 32.9%.

But some housing advocates were disappointed that Biden merely extended the ban without making any changes. Diane Yentel, president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said she and others had pushed to make the ban’s protections automatic and universal. Currently, tenants have to actively take steps to invoke the ban’s protections, which can lead to exploitation of those who don’t know their rights or don’t understand the process.

Also, some jurisdictions have allowed landlords to initiate the eviction process in court, a tactic that scared many families into leaving rather than having the eviction proceedings, even unfinished ones, on their records.

“While the Biden administration is well aware of the shortcomings in the moratorium order that allow some evictions to proceed during the pandemic, the CDC director did not correct them,” Yentel said.

Instead, the CDC “simply extended President Trump’s original order, leaving the loopholes and flaws in place, a disappointing decision that will result in more harmful evictions during the pandemic,” she said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is extending a federal moratorium on evictions of tenants who have fallen behind on rent during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday moved to continue the pandemic-related protection, which had been scheduled to expire on Wednesday. The moratorium is now extended through the end of June.The ban, initially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/1eb82db82ec722d329e52eff638c797f">put in place last year</a>, provides protection for renters out of concern that having families lose their homes and move into shelters or share crowded conditions with relatives or friends during the pandemic would further spread the highly contagious virus, which has&nbsp;<a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html" target="_blank">killed more than 545,000 people</a>&nbsp;in the United States.To be eligible for the housing protection, renters must earn $198,000 annually or less for couples filing jointly, or $99,000 for single filers; demonstrate that they’ve sought government help to pay the rent; declare that they can’t pay because of COVID-19 hardships; and affirm they are likely to become homeless if evicted.In February, President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-extends-ban-housing-foreclosure-6d16be8ce051c394ae1813c57da6727d">extended a ban on housing foreclosures</a>&nbsp;to June 30 to help homeowners struggling during the pandemic.Housing advocates had generally expected the extension of the tenant eviction moratorium and had been lobbying the Biden administration, saying it was too early in the country’s economic recovery to let the ban lapse.John Pollock, coordinator of the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel, said last week that the moratorium was “the only thing holding back the flood” of evictions that would spiral through the still-shaky American economy.Pollack said current surveys show that 18.4% of all tenants owe back rent. That number also revealed significant racial disparity: The percentage of Black tenants behind on their rent was 32.9%.But some housing advocates were disappointed that Biden merely extended the ban without making any changes. Diane Yentel, president of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said she and others had pushed to make the ban’s protections automatic and universal. Currently, tenants have to actively take steps to invoke the ban’s protections, which can lead to exploitation of those who don’t know their rights or don’t understand the process.Also, some jurisdictions have allowed landlords to initiate the eviction process in court, a tactic that scared many families into leaving rather than having the eviction proceedings, even unfinished ones, on their records.“While the Biden administration is well aware of the shortcomings in the moratorium order that allow some evictions to proceed during the pandemic, the CDC director did not correct them,” Yentel said.Instead, the CDC “simply extended President Trump’s original order, leaving the loopholes and flaws in place, a disappointing decision that will result in more harmful evictions during the pandemic,” she said.___

Ban on renter evictions during COVID pandemic extended

By
NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch
Post</a>


HUTCHINSON — Washburn University professor Bob Beatty believes there is room 
for at least one more candidate in the Republican primary for governor 
in 2022, even though former governor Dr. Jeff Colyer and Attorney 
General Derek Schmidt have both said they are running.

"There's 
certainly a possibility of a Trump Republican," Beatty said. "We know 
that from what's going on nationally, which would be a candidate who is 
vociferously and authentically and wildly pro-Trump in ways that Jeff 
Colyer and Derek Schmidt are just not going to be."

A name doesn't
 immediately come to Beatty's mind, though it's possible that Kris 
Kobach could take that lane, if his loss in 2018 hasn't caused too much 
damage with the party.

"There is a point in politics where, if you
 lose too many elections, you lose your credibility," Beatty said. 
"Taking a chance on one more lost election would be pretty tough for 
Kobach."

One name that won't be in the Kansas governor discussion 
is former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. He's pursuing a higher office.

"Pompeo
 is effectively running for President," Beatty said. "Again, the specter
 of Donald Trump looms large in that, if Trump runs for President, then 
Pompeo is out on that front, but you certainly could see him effectively
 running for Vice President, as odd as that sounds."

The 
implication is that if Trump were to run again, he would likely not pick
 Mike Pence to run with him, and he's seemed to trust Pompeo in the 
past.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597324661682.jpeg" alt="Bob Beatty" />
 <figcaption>Bob Beatty</figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL <a href="https://hutchpost.com">Hutch
Post</a>
HUTCHINSON — Washburn University professor Bob Beatty believes there is room 
for at least one more candidate in the Republican primary for governor 
in 2022, even though former governor Dr. Jeff Colyer and Attorney 
General Derek Schmidt have both said they are running."There's 
certainly a possibility of a Trump Republican," Beatty said. "We know 
that from what's going on nationally, which would be a candidate who is 
vociferously and authentically and wildly pro-Trump in ways that Jeff 
Colyer and Derek Schmidt are just not going to be."A name doesn't
 immediately come to Beatty's mind, though it's possible that Kris 
Kobach could take that lane, if his loss in 2018 hasn't caused too much 
damage with the party."There is a point in politics where, if you
 lose too many elections, you lose your credibility," Beatty said. 
"Taking a chance on one more lost election would be pretty tough for 
Kobach."One name that won't be in the Kansas governor discussion 
is former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. He's pursuing a higher office."Pompeo
 is effectively running for President," Beatty said. "Again, the specter
 of Donald Trump looms large in that, if Trump runs for President, then 
Pompeo is out on that front, but you certainly could see him effectively
 running for Vice President, as odd as that sounds."The 
implication is that if Trump were to run again, he would likely not pick
 Mike Pence to run with him, and he's seemed to trust Pompeo in the 
past.

Professor sees room for more in Kan. GOP governor primary

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp; The State of Kansas will make the COVID-19 vaccine available to all Kansans (16+) beginning March 29.

The state is moving into Phase 5 of the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.ubDUIVThm5i2wwMrejtn9iLpuJil1tvbFfXjWRlw4_Q/s/1303160919/br/100735784539-l" target="_blank">Vaccine Prioritization</a>&nbsp;plan, according to a media release from Governor Laura Kelly's office.

“With the anticipated increase in supply from the federal government, we must get every dose of vaccine into arms quickly,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“I strongly encourage every Kansan to get the COVID-19 vaccine so we can get back to school, back to work, and back to normal.”

Kansas will become the 8th&nbsp;state to make the vaccine available to all adults, joining Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Utah, and West Virginia.

As of March 26,<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAzMjYuMzc3ODQ5MTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NvdmlkLmNkYy5nb3YvY292aWQtZGF0YS10cmFja2VyLyN2YWNjaW5hdGlvbnMifQ.sFC6hfLyb9saz9FMqRT-HD3k5y5Z0XZPHX487V3L_rA/s/1303160919/br/100735784539-l" target="_blank">&nbsp;35.1%</a>&nbsp;of the adult population in Kansas had received at least one dose of the vaccine.

In the early part of the vaccination program (December 2020 – February 2021), limited federal supply led to demand for vaccine consistently outstripping supply. However, the supply increases of recent weeks have reversed this situation. Local Health Departments (LHDs) and providers have started reporting a decline in demand despite the state opening to Phases 3 and 4 populations. To ensure no vaccine goes to waste, the Kelly administration decided to open eligibility to all Kansans.

Kansans are encouraged to use the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.aeqhimZY4uP5KjdOQ4BPwDU6G3ogyV88Q0Amwsf3xEU/s/1303160919/br/100735784539-l" target="_blank">Vaccine Finder</a>&nbsp;tool to find the nearest location with available vaccine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610104544544.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp; The State of Kansas will make the COVID-19 vaccine available to all Kansans (16+) beginning March 29.The state is moving into Phase 5 of the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAzMjYuMzc3ODQ5MTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2djYzAyLnNhZmVsaW5rcy5wcm90ZWN0aW9uLm91dGxvb2suY29tLz91cmw9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cua2Fuc2FzdmFjY2luZS5nb3YlMkZEb2N1bWVudENlbnRlciUyRlZpZXclMkYxMjElMkZWYWNjaW5lLVByaW9yaXRpemF0aW9uLVNsaWRlcy1QREYmZGF0YT0wNCU3QzAxJTdDTGF1cmVuLkZpdHpnZXJhbGQlNDBrcy5nb3YlN0NhYjU1Njk1YjZkMWQ0ZjBmMjE2ZjA4ZDhlZmZhMTFjZSU3Q2RjYWU4MTAxYzkyZDQ4MGNiYzQzYzY3NjFjY2NjYzVhJTdDMCU3QzAlN0M2Mzc1MjMyMDQ2MDk5MzM5NDYlN0NVbmtub3duJTdDVFdGcGJHWnNiM2Q4ZXlKV0lqb2lNQzR3TGpBd01EQWlMQ0pRSWpvaVYybHVNeklpTENKQlRpSTZJazFoYVd3aUxDSlhWQ0k2TW4wJTNEJTdDMTAwMCZzZGF0YT1KWW0yVmtxOWhvaU1oWjR5eEZUdXJ1dWJJaDNoVzI2Zk1uN1NxRWN4ZDdnJTNEJnJlc2VydmVkPTAifQ.ubDUIVThm5i2wwMrejtn9iLpuJil1tvbFfXjWRlw4_Q/s/1303160919/br/100735784539-l" target="_blank">Vaccine Prioritization</a>&nbsp;plan, according to a media release from Governor Laura Kelly's office.“With the anticipated increase in supply from the federal government, we must get every dose of vaccine into arms quickly,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“I strongly encourage every Kansan to get the COVID-19 vaccine so we can get back to school, back to work, and back to normal.”Kansas will become the 8th&nbsp;state to make the vaccine available to all adults, joining Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Utah, and West Virginia.As of March 26,<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAzMjYuMzc3ODQ5MTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2NvdmlkLmNkYy5nb3YvY292aWQtZGF0YS10cmFja2VyLyN2YWNjaW5hdGlvbnMifQ.sFC6hfLyb9saz9FMqRT-HD3k5y5Z0XZPHX487V3L_rA/s/1303160919/br/100735784539-l" target="_blank">&nbsp;35.1%</a>&nbsp;of the adult population in Kansas had received at least one dose of the vaccine.In the early part of the vaccination program (December 2020 – February 2021), limited federal supply led to demand for vaccine consistently outstripping supply. However, the supply increases of recent weeks have reversed this situation. Local Health Departments (LHDs) and providers have started reporting a decline in demand despite the state opening to Phases 3 and 4 populations. To ensure no vaccine goes to waste, the Kelly administration decided to open eligibility to all Kansans.Kansans are encouraged to use the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.aeqhimZY4uP5KjdOQ4BPwDU6G3ogyV88Q0Amwsf3xEU/s/1303160919/br/100735784539-l" target="_blank">Vaccine Finder</a>&nbsp;tool to find the nearest location with available vaccine.About the COVID-19 vaccines:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAzMjYuMzc3ODQ5MTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3RpbWUuY29tLzU5NDIwNzYvcHJvb2YtY292aWQtMTktdmFjY2luZXMtd29yay8ifQ.4K2ibSgHqf_L3FHxbJLaaAjBad4X-loM4Yd3tTjswCQ/s/1303160919/br/100735784539-l" target="_blank">COVID-19 Vaccines work</a>:&nbsp;New England Journal of Medicine&nbsp;published a study on Feb. 24 that found researchers in Israel and the U.S. report that the vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech was highly effective in protecting against infection with the COVID-19 virus, lowering people’s chances of getting sick with the disease—especially severe disease—and dropping COVID-19 hospitalization rates.</li><li>Scientists have been researching&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.28L4URDjRLyYtmmVFwrZFVEIwLixtTKUQ8CB8vIxQuQ/s/1303160919/br/100735784539-l" target="_blank">mRNA</a>&nbsp;technology, which makes it possible to create a vaccine faster, for years to prepare for potential infectious viruses. This research and the high supply of volunteers for clinical trials led to the relatively&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.DO1KeJdPNKo7fYVCmfZPYk38nG3hLc13868zPgifkWk/s/1303160919/br/100735784539-l" target="_blank">quick</a>&nbsp;development of the COVID-19 vaccines.</li><li>COVID-19 vaccines must meet&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.WrLjrb9CNPgiehOWJoSp92P265nv0uSksmJw-AdXo20/s/1303160919/br/100735784539-l" target="_blank">rigorous</a>&nbsp;standards and have undergone the most&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAzMjYuMzc3ODQ5MTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2djYzAyLnNhZmVsaW5rcy5wcm90ZWN0aW9uLm91dGxvb2suY29tLz91cmw9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuY2RjLmdvdiUyRmNvcm9uYXZpcnVzJTJGMjAxOS1uY292JTJGdmFjY2luZXMlMkZyZXBvcnRpbmctc3lzdGVtcy5odG1sJmRhdGE9MDQlN0MwMSU3Q0xhdXJlbi5GaXR6Z2VyYWxkJTQwa3MuZ292JTdDYWI1NTY5NWI2ZDFkNGYwZjIxNmYwOGQ4ZWZmYTExY2UlN0NkY2FlODEwMWM5MmQ0ODBjYmM0M2M2NzYxY2NjY2M1YSU3QzAlN0MwJTdDNjM3NTIzMjA0NjA5OTYzODEzJTdDVW5rbm93biU3Q1RXRnBiR1pzYjNkOGV5SldJam9pTUM0d0xqQXdNREFpTENKUUlqb2lWMmx1TXpJaUxDSkJUaUk2SWsxaGFXd2lMQ0pYVkNJNk1uMCUzRCU3QzEwMDAmc2RhdGE9eHVmdk1id29YdGFGJTJCSFVqcnlqVHRueTI3UmE1SDglMkJEMUExZDFvQkR1VDAlM0QmcmVzZXJ2ZWQ9MCJ9.zK4AWTSgGHpTY36_AQHWCk1IVNfP5zNZvNjD-TpmksQ/s/1303160919/br/100735784539-l" target="_blank">intensive</a>&nbsp;safety monitoring in U.S. history. The three COVID-19 vaccines had to meet safety and effectiveness standards to be approved for Emergency Use Authorization and have been evaluated in&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.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.1fCwgNA_d2YWui9oFU8guVKsMFWjuyS9VnXGH3pfcI0/s/1303160919/br/100735784539-l" target="_blank">tens of thousands</a>&nbsp;of participants in clinical trials.</li>
 </ul>

Vaccine now available to everyone in Kan. 16 and older 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and after asking the public for help to locate two suspects have made arrests.

On Sunday, police in Manhattan followed up on a tip given to Topeka police and found 28-year-old Devonta B. Miller of Topeka and 21-year-old Harlee E. Borders of Marysville in an apartment in Manhattan, according to Topeka Police Lt. Shane Hilton.

They were taken into custody without incident in connection with the death of&nbsp;39-year-old Kristi A. Rodriguez of Chanute.

Just before 10:30 p.m. Friday the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center started receiving calls about a possible shooting in the 3100 block of SE Bryant in Topeka, according Lt. Matt Danielson.

 Officers arrived and located a crime scene. Two people were located inside of a home suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was transported by officers to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.&nbsp;

A third individual received injuries as a result of the incident, and was transported by AMR to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp;Officers also located a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of SE 31st and SE Adams. Homicide detectives were investigating both scenes to determine if they are connected.

Authorities brought Miller and Borders&nbsp; back to Topeka and they were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on charges that include Murder in the First Degree, Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Burglary, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Endangering of A Child, Criminal Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and Failure to stop at an Accident, according to Hilton.

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim&nbsp; as 39-year-old Kristi A. Rodriguez of Chanute, according to Topeka Police Lt. Shane Hilton. The other two victims are expected to recover from their injuries.

Police are also asking for help to locate two suspect in connection with the shooting. Anyone with information on 28-year-old Devonta B. Miller of Topeka, or 21-year-old Harlee E. Borders of Marysville should contact police.

Just before 10:30 p.m. Friday the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center started receiving calls about a possible shooting in the 3100 block of SE Bryant, according Lt. Matt Danielson.

 Officers arrived and located a crime scene. Two people were located inside of a home suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. 

Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was transported by officers to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. 

A third individual received injuries as a result of the incident, and was transported by AMR to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Friday evening shooting that left one person dead and two others injured.

Just before 10:30 p.m. the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center started receiving calls about a possible shooting in the 3100 block of SE Bryant, according Lt. Matt Danielson.

One of those individuals was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was transported by officers to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. 

Officers also located a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of SE 31st and SE Adams. Homicide detectives were investigating both scenes to determine if they are connected.

Due to the size of these crime scenes, police asked the public to avoid the areas while they were processed.&nbsp;

Police have not released name of the victim or reported an arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617012244129.png" alt="Miller-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Miller-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and after asking the public for help to locate two suspects have made arrests.On Sunday, police in Manhattan followed up on a tip given to Topeka police and found 28-year-old Devonta B. Miller of Topeka and 21-year-old Harlee E. Borders of Marysville in an apartment in Manhattan, according to Topeka Police Lt. Shane Hilton.They were taken into custody without incident in connection with the death of&nbsp;39-year-old Kristi A. Rodriguez of Chanute.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617012295794.png" alt="Borders photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Borders photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 10:30 p.m. Friday the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center started receiving calls about a possible shooting in the 3100 block of SE Bryant in Topeka, according Lt. Matt Danielson. Officers arrived and located a crime scene. Two people were located inside of a home suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was transported by officers to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.&nbsp;A third individual received injuries as a result of the incident, and was transported by AMR to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.&nbsp;Officers also located a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of SE 31st and SE Adams. Homicide detectives were investigating both scenes to determine if they are connected.Authorities brought Miller and Borders&nbsp; back to Topeka and they were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on charges that include Murder in the First Degree, Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Burglary, Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Endangering of A Child, Criminal Possession of a Firearm by a Felon and Failure to stop at an Accident, according to Hilton.--------SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim&nbsp; as 39-year-old Kristi A. Rodriguez of Chanute, according to Topeka Police Lt. Shane Hilton. The other two victims are expected to recover from their injuries.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616878094022.png" alt="Devonta B. Miller, 28, Topeka -photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Devonta B. Miller, 28, Topeka -photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Police are also asking for help to locate two suspect in connection with the shooting. Anyone with information on 28-year-old Devonta B. Miller of Topeka, or 21-year-old Harlee E. Borders of Marysville should contact police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616878072385.png" alt="Harlee E. Borders, 21, Marysville -photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Harlee E. Borders, 21, Marysville -photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 10:30 p.m. Friday the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center started receiving calls about a possible shooting in the 3100 block of SE Bryant, according Lt. Matt Danielson. Officers arrived and located a crime scene. Two people were located inside of a home suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was transported by officers to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. A third individual received injuries as a result of the incident, and was transported by AMR to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. ---------------SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Friday evening shooting that left one person dead and two others injured.Just before 10:30 p.m. the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center started receiving calls about a possible shooting in the 3100 block of SE Bryant, according Lt. Matt Danielson. Officers arrived and located a crime scene. Two people were located inside of a home suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. One of those individuals was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was transported by officers to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. A third individual received injuries as a result of the incident, and was transported by AMR to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Officers also located a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of SE 31st and SE Adams. Homicide detectives were investigating both scenes to determine if they are connected.Due to the size of these crime scenes, police asked the public to avoid the areas while they were processed.&nbsp;Police have not released name of the victim or reported an arrest.

Tip leads to arrest of suspects in Kan. woman's murder

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Kansas City police officer who was shot in the leg Thursday while trying to make an arrest has been released from the hospital.

The Missouri Highway Patrol says the officer was wounded while trying to arrest a suspect in an aggravated assault case. The suspect fired at the officer at a gas station in eastern Kansas City Thursday before the officer returned fire and killed the man. Officials have said 31-year-old Malcolm Johnson of Kansas City died in the shootout.

Kansas City Police Department spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said the officer is doing well and recovering from his injuries. The officer has been with the police department for about eight and a half years.

The fatal confrontation occurred after two uniformed Kansas City police officers saw a man inside the gas station they believed was wanted in an aggravated assault case.

The highway patrol is investigating the shooting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616756345082.png" alt="The scene of the shooting investigation photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>The scene of the shooting investigation photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Kansas City police officer who was shot in the leg Thursday while trying to make an arrest has been released from the hospital.The Missouri Highway Patrol says the officer was wounded while trying to arrest a suspect in an aggravated assault case. The suspect fired at the officer at a gas station in eastern Kansas City Thursday before the officer returned fire and killed the man. Officials have said 31-year-old Malcolm Johnson of Kansas City died in the shootout.Kansas City Police Department spokesman Sgt. Jake Becchina said the officer is doing well and recovering from his injuries. The officer has been with the police department for about eight and a half years.The fatal confrontation occurred after two uniformed Kansas City police officers saw a man inside the gas station they believed was wanted in an aggravated assault case.The highway patrol is investigating the shooting.

Kansas City officer shot by suspect out of the hospital

FORD COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Sunday in Ford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Harley Davidson&nbsp;FXDB Street Bob driven by Gilberto&nbsp;Gallegos, 33, Dodge City, was northbound on U.S. 283 seven miles north of U.S. 56.

The driver attempted to pass a northbound vehicle. The motorcycle crossed the center line. The driver lost control, laid the motorcycle over on its left side and was separated from the motorcycle.

Gallegos was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the morgue at Western Plains in Dodge City. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

FORD COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 3:30p.m. Sunday in Ford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2011 Harley Davidson&nbsp;FXDB Street Bob driven by Gilberto&nbsp;Gallegos, 33, Dodge City, was northbound on U.S. 283 seven miles north of U.S. 56.The driver attempted to pass a northbound vehicle. The motorcycle crossed the center line. The driver lost control, laid the motorcycle over on its left side and was separated from the motorcycle.Gallegos was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the morgue at Western Plains in Dodge City. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

SW Kansas man dies after motorcycle accident

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A driver has been charged with hitting and killing a Good Samaritan as she tried to help the victim of an earlier crash in Kansas City, Kansas. 

Prosecutors announced Friday that 42-year-old Ramon Vazquez-Carmona faces one count of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence in the March 14 crash that killed Cindy Goulding. Vazquez-Carmona also faces a lesser charge of driving without a valid license. 

Kansas City, Kansas, police said Goulding exited her car to help after a sedan struck a sport utility vehicle. She then was struck by a pickup truck and declared dead at the scene.

JOHNSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 3a.m. Sunday in Johnson County.

Kansas City police reported a northbound sedan struck a southbound SUV at&nbsp; 59th Street and Nogard.&nbsp; The sedan came to rest about a block from the crash. The driver and occupants fled the scene on foot.

A Good Samaritan, identified as a woman in her late 50s, stopped to check on the crash and was standing next to the SUV. A pickup struck the SUV. The impact killed the Good Samaritan, according to KCPD.

EMS transported the driver of the SUV to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police also arrested the pickup driver.&nbsp; Authorities have not reported an arrest of the sedan driver or released name of the woman who died.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616857300340.png" alt="Vazquez-Carmona photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Vazquez-Carmona photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A driver has been charged with hitting and killing a Good Samaritan as she tried to help the victim of an earlier crash in Kansas City, Kansas. Prosecutors announced Friday that 42-year-old Ramon Vazquez-Carmona faces one count of involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence in the March 14 crash that killed Cindy Goulding. Vazquez-Carmona also faces a lesser charge of driving without a valid license. Kansas City, Kansas, police said Goulding exited her car to help after a sedan struck a sport utility vehicle. She then was struck by a pickup truck and declared dead at the scene.-------JOHNSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 3a.m. Sunday in Johnson County.Kansas City police reported a northbound sedan struck a southbound SUV at&nbsp; 59th Street and Nogard.&nbsp; The sedan came to rest about a block from the crash. The driver and occupants fled the scene on foot.A Good Samaritan, identified as a woman in her late 50s, stopped to check on the crash and was standing next to the SUV. A pickup struck the SUV. The impact killed the Good Samaritan, according to KCPD.EMS transported the driver of the SUV to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police also arrested the pickup driver.&nbsp; Authorities have not reported an arrest of the sedan driver or released name of the woman who died.

Man charged in Kan. crash that killed Good Samaritan

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple charges following a traffic stop in Shawnee County..

Just after 2:30pm. Friday, a K9 Unit conducted a traffic stop on a 1999 Buick Park Avenue at North Kansas Avenue and NW Lyman Road, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, deputies located narcotics and arrested the passenger, Stacy N. Minton, 35, of Topeka for a misdemeanor warrant out of the City of Topeka.&nbsp; She was also booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Christian.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616942621741.png" alt="Minton photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Minton photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas woman on multiple charges following a traffic stop in Shawnee County..Just after 2:30pm. Friday, a K9 Unit conducted a traffic stop on a 1999 Buick Park Avenue at North Kansas Avenue and NW Lyman Road, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.During the investigation, deputies located narcotics and arrested the passenger, Stacy N. Minton, 35, of Topeka for a misdemeanor warrant out of the City of Topeka.&nbsp; She was also booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to Christian.

Weekend in jail for Kan. woman after sheriff's K-9 finds drugs

BY SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/26/court-record-shows-kansas-senate-majority-leader-drove-90-mph-evaded-roadblock/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Senate Majority 
Leader Gene Suellentrop was charged Friday with drunk driving and felony
 fleeing from police while traveling 90 mph in the wrong direction on 
Interstate 70 in Topeka.

The complaint filed in 
district court by the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office 
indicates the early morning escapade on March 16 ended after Suellentrop
 “willfully failed or refused” to stop for police.

The Wichita Republican was
 stopped by Kansas Highway Patrol officers after several 911 callers 
reported he was driving on the wrong side of the interstate. He was 
released from jail after a judge determined there was a problem with the
 arrest report.

The next day, Suellentrop announced he was <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/17/kansas-senate-majority-leader-hands-off-duties-a-day-after-drunk-driving-arrest/">transferring leadership duties</a> to an assistant while resolving his legal matters.

He now faces a level nine 
felony for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, misdemeanor 
charges of driving under the influence and reckless driving, and traffic
 infractions for driving the wrong way on a divided highway and 
speeding.

The complaint says he was 
driving 90 mph in a 65 mph zone. His blood alcohol level was over the 
legal limit of .08, but the complaint doesn’t specify the exact reading.

The felony charge 
indicates he “failed to stop for a police roadblock, drove around a tire
 deflating device placed by a police officer, engaged in reckless 
driving, was involved in a motor vehicle accident, intentionally caused 
damage to property” and eluded capture. District Attorney Mike Kagay 
said Saturday the complaint uses standard language that reflects 
different ways the prosecutor can prove the charge and is not a comment 
on the evidence in the case.

Suellentrop was booked Friday into Shawnee County Jail and released after posting $5,000 bond.

Senate President Ty 
Masterson and Vice President Rick Wilborn issued a joint statement 
saying they have reached out to the GOP Senate caucus about “how to 
proceed most effectively” after learning of Suellentrop’s charges.

“The complaint’s 
allegations are very serious, and we trust the legal process will ensure
 due process and a just resolution,” Masterson and Wilborn said. “We are
 thankful that no one was injured, and we continue to pray for Gene and 
his family.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616963919848.png" alt="Senate Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop, R-Wichita, transferred his leadership duties on March 17, a day after he was arrested and released. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Senate Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop, R-Wichita, transferred his leadership duties on March 17, a day after he was arrested and released. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/26/court-record-shows-kansas-senate-majority-leader-drove-90-mph-evaded-roadblock/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Senate Majority 
Leader Gene Suellentrop was charged Friday with drunk driving and felony
 fleeing from police while traveling 90 mph in the wrong direction on 
Interstate 70 in Topeka.The complaint filed in 
district court by the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office 
indicates the early morning escapade on March 16 ended after Suellentrop
 “willfully failed or refused” to stop for police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616963978358.jpeg" alt="Senate Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop was booked Friday into Shawnee County Jail and released after posting $5,000 bond. (Shawnee County Jail)" />
 <figcaption>Senate Majority Leader Gene Suellentrop was booked Friday into Shawnee County Jail and released after posting $5,000 bond. (Shawnee County Jail)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Wichita Republican was
 stopped by Kansas Highway Patrol officers after several 911 callers 
reported he was driving on the wrong side of the interstate. He was 
released from jail after a judge determined there was a problem with the
 arrest report.The next day, Suellentrop announced he was <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/03/17/kansas-senate-majority-leader-hands-off-duties-a-day-after-drunk-driving-arrest/">transferring leadership duties</a> to an assistant while resolving his legal matters.He now faces a level nine 
felony for fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, misdemeanor 
charges of driving under the influence and reckless driving, and traffic
 infractions for driving the wrong way on a divided highway and 
speeding.The complaint says he was 
driving 90 mph in a 65 mph zone. His blood alcohol level was over the 
legal limit of .08, but the complaint doesn’t specify the exact reading.The felony charge 
indicates he “failed to stop for a police roadblock, drove around a tire
 deflating device placed by a police officer, engaged in reckless 
driving, was involved in a motor vehicle accident, intentionally caused 
damage to property” and eluded capture. District Attorney Mike Kagay 
said Saturday the complaint uses standard language that reflects 
different ways the prosecutor can prove the charge and is not a comment 
on the evidence in the case.Suellentrop was booked Friday into Shawnee County Jail and released after posting $5,000 bond.Senate President Ty 
Masterson and Vice President Rick Wilborn issued a joint statement 
saying they have reached out to the GOP Senate caucus about “how to 
proceed most effectively” after learning of Suellentrop’s charges.“The complaint’s 
allegations are very serious, and we trust the legal process will ensure
 due process and a just resolution,” Masterson and Wilborn said. “We are
 thankful that no one was injured, and we continue to pray for Gene and 
his family.”

Record: Kan. Senate majority leader drove 90 mph in wrong direction

CHICAGO (AP) — On federal death row, prisoners fling notes on a string under each other’s cell doors and converse through interconnected air ducts. A top issue these days: whether President Joe Biden will halt executions, several told The Associated Press.

Biden hasn’t spoken publicly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-us-news-pandemics-health-coronavirus-pandemic-ad6b1681aaf4128aa5e3ca0e94672e45">about capital punishment</a>&nbsp;since taking office four days after the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-wildlife-coronavirus-pandemic-crime-terre-haute-28e44cc5c026dc16472751bbde0ead50">executed the last of 13 inmates</a>&nbsp;at the Terre Haute, Indiana, penitentiary where all federal death row inmates are held. The six-month run of executions cut their unit from around 63 to 50. Biden’s campaign website said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-prisons-inaugurations-coronavirus-pandemic-executions-365258989e6be8d7077b2f67d8c3e190">he’d work to end federal executions</a>, but he’s never specified how.

Four inmates exchanged emails with the AP through a prison-monitored system they access during the two hours a day they are let out of their 12-by-7-foot, single-inmate cells. Biden’s silence has them on edge, wondering whether political calculations will lead him to back off far-reaching action, like commuting their sentences to life in prison and endorsing legislation striking capital punishment from U.S. statutes.

“There’s not a day that goes by that we’re not scanning the news for hints of when or if the Biden administration will take meaningful action to implement his promises,” said 36-year-old Rejon Taylor, sentenced to death in 2008 for killing an Atlanta restaurant owner.

Everyone on federal death row was convicted of killing someone, their victims often suffering brutal, painful deaths. The dead included children, bank workers and prison guards. One inmate,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ba912545b5dc40729c80328d598ac550">white supremacist Dylann Roof</a>, killed nine Black members of a South Carolina church during a Bible study in 2015. Many Americans believe death is the only salve for such crimes.

Views of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/06/11/us-support-for-death-penalty-ticks-up-2018/" target="_blank">capital punishment</a>, though, are shifting. One&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/discrimination-racial-injustice-united-states-archive-race-and-ethnicity-ded1f517a0fd64bf1d55c448a06acccc/gallery/acd0f206fc1e4058b6bceb96afced4c0">recent report</a>&nbsp;found people of color are overrepresented on death rows nationwide. Some 40% of federal death row inmates are Black, compared with about 13% of the U.S. population. With growing scrutiny of who gets sentenced to die and why, support for the death penalty has waned, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/68b0dd3c252940a69729cf9480610988">fewer executions are done overall</a>. Virginia lawmakers recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-death-penalty-repeal-governor-c98c16a996037a4d1e1d497787b7e6f1">voted to abolish it</a>.

The death row prisoners expressed relief at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-leaves-white-house-ad718c0048c341d0044c4709fb23c8dd">Donald Trump’s departure from the White House</a>&nbsp;after he presided over more federal executions than any other president in 130 years. Gone is the ever-present fear that guards would appear at their cell door to say the warden needed to speak to them — dreaded words that meant your execution had been scheduled.

They described death row as a close-knit community where bonds are forged. All said they were still reeling from seeing friends escorted away for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/executioners-sanitized-accounts-of-death-25d133f59039150c2e308ba1a2a5caef">execution by lethal injection</a>&nbsp;at a garage-size building nearby.

“When it’s quiet here, which it often is, you’ll hear someone say, ‘Damn, I can’t believe they’re gone!’ We all know what they are referencing,” said Daniel Troya, sentenced in 2009 for participating in drug-related killings of a Florida man, his wife and their two children.

The federal executions during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>&nbsp;were likely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-prisons-health-coronavirus-pandemic-executions-9c355b58c78492613eedbf1c7c1fb42c">superspreader events</a>. In December, 70% of the death row inmates had COVID-19, some possibly infected via air ducts through which they communicate.

The AP attended all 13 federal executions.

Five of the first six inmates executed were white. Six of the last seven were Black, including Dustin Higgs, the final inmate put to death, on Jan. 16 for ordering the killing of three Maryland women.

Memories of speaking to Higgs just before his execution still pain Sherman Fields, who is on death row but has a resentencing for convictions in the killing of his girlfriend after escaping from a jail in Waco, Texas.

“He kept saying he’s innocent and he didn’t want to die,” Fields, 46, said. “He’s my friend. It was very hard.”

While there were rumors Biden would take action on the death penalty in his first days as president, there have been no announcements. As he grapples with issues like the coronavirus and the economy, capital punishment appears to be on a back burner.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdky/pr/death-penalty-sought-murder-fort-campbell-soldier" target="_blank">Meanwhile, federal prosecutors are still saying</a>&nbsp;they’ll pursue death sentences.

Even if he’d hoped to, Biden can’t set aside the death penalty issue entirely. It came up Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/court-could-reimpose-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-death-sentence-719087dcbe7145514094fe3c7da8d9bf">when the Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;said it will consider a request — first made by the Trump administration — to reinstate the death sentence for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev that a lower court tossed in July. The Biden administration could chose to say the government no longer opposes the lower court decision, though that, like everything with the death penalty, would undoubtedly create controversy.

The easiest step politically for Biden would be to simply instruct his Justice Department not to carry out any executions during his presidency. That would spare inmates’ lives for at least four years but would leave the door open for a future president to resume them.

The inmates first learned federal executions would restart after 17 years in 2019 when the first inmates were put on execution lists. More were added throughout 2020.

Through last year, inmates would flinch whenever they heard the jangle of thick key rings as a larger-than-normal contingent of guards entered their floor. That sound meant guards would soon stop at an inmate’s door and that he’d soon be in the warden’s office to be handed his death warrant.

When a frantic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d758efe397b4443b22c79e2bfc65df84">Keith Nelson</a>, convicted of raping and killing a Kansas girl, kept saying a year ago he was sure he’d be selected next to die, one inmate yelled at him to “shut up,” that he was unnerving everyone else, Troya recalled. Nelson was executed on Aug. 28.

Emotions ran high as execution days approached. As guards led condemned men away, other inmates shouted, “Come on! Fight ’em!” Troya said. None appeared to resist.

Inmates can’t access the regular internet but could follow news of last-minute appeals on TVs in their cells. When broadcasts confirmed an execution had been carried out, Taylor said, a hush fell on death row, followed by a chorus of curses.

Inmates know that Biden, while a senator, played a key role in passing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ae20ddaea4b51e57b5d7eff0f0c9ffcb">a 1994 crime bill</a>&nbsp;that increased federal crimes for which someone could be put to death.

“I don’t trust Biden,” Troya said. “He set the rules to get us all here in the first place.”

Several inmates said Brandon Bernard’s death was especially hard to process. They described him as introspective and kind. Bernard, convicted of participating in the Texas carjacking, robbery and killing of an Iowa couple, also organized a death-row crocheting group that shared patterns and knitting tips.

“The gentlest guy on federal death row,” Fields said.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-race-and-ethnicity-prisons-killeen-13044e3f1ab9e0e140c57d8012b67abb">Bernard’s case</a>&nbsp;drew the attention of reality TV star Kim Kardashian and other celebrities, who pleaded on Twitter for Trump to commute his sentence.

His lawyers said Bernard, 18 at the time and the lowest-ranking member of a street gang, was pressured to light a car on fire with Todd and Stacie Bagley’s bodies inside. They said he believed the Bagleys were already dead after a gang leader shot them in the head.

He and co-defendant Christopher Vialva, both of whom were Black, were convicted by a nearly all-white Texas jury in 2000.

Strapped to a cross-shaped gurney on Dec. 10, Bernard addressed the couple’s relatives in an adjoining death-chamber witness room, repeatedly apologizing and telling them he hoped his death would bring them closure.

After his execution, Todd Bagley’s mother called the killings an “act of unnecessary evil.” She said the executions of Bernard and of Vialva months earlier did bring closure. But she also expressed gratitude to both for apologizing. Beginning to cry, she told reporters: “I can very much say — I forgive them.”

Troya said he thinks often about Bernard, Vialva and Higgs, whom he considered close friends. All three, he said, had long since transformed themselves into better people and were mentoring other inmates.

“They killed future prison role models,” he said. “So much potential, lost for nothing.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598525494909.png" alt="Keith Dwayne Nelson convicted of killing a Kansas girl was the fifth federal inmate put to death in 2020 -photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Keith Dwayne Nelson convicted of killing a Kansas girl was the fifth federal inmate put to death in 2020 -photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>CHICAGO (AP) — On federal death row, prisoners fling notes on a string under each other’s cell doors and converse through interconnected air ducts. A top issue these days: whether President Joe Biden will halt executions, several told The Associated Press.Biden hasn’t spoken publicly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-us-news-pandemics-health-coronavirus-pandemic-ad6b1681aaf4128aa5e3ca0e94672e45">about capital punishment</a>&nbsp;since taking office four days after the Trump administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-wildlife-coronavirus-pandemic-crime-terre-haute-28e44cc5c026dc16472751bbde0ead50">executed the last of 13 inmates</a>&nbsp;at the Terre Haute, Indiana, penitentiary where all federal death row inmates are held. The six-month run of executions cut their unit from around 63 to 50. Biden’s campaign website said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-prisons-inaugurations-coronavirus-pandemic-executions-365258989e6be8d7077b2f67d8c3e190">he’d work to end federal executions</a>, but he’s never specified how.Four inmates exchanged emails with the AP through a prison-monitored system they access during the two hours a day they are let out of their 12-by-7-foot, single-inmate cells. Biden’s silence has them on edge, wondering whether political calculations will lead him to back off far-reaching action, like commuting their sentences to life in prison and endorsing legislation striking capital punishment from U.S. statutes.“There’s not a day that goes by that we’re not scanning the news for hints of when or if the Biden administration will take meaningful action to implement his promises,” said 36-year-old Rejon Taylor, sentenced to death in 2008 for killing an Atlanta restaurant owner.Everyone on federal death row was convicted of killing someone, their victims often suffering brutal, painful deaths. The dead included children, bank workers and prison guards. One inmate,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ba912545b5dc40729c80328d598ac550">white supremacist Dylann Roof</a>, killed nine Black members of a South Carolina church during a Bible study in 2015. Many Americans believe death is the only salve for such crimes.Views of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/06/11/us-support-for-death-penalty-ticks-up-2018/" target="_blank">capital punishment</a>, though, are shifting. One&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/discrimination-racial-injustice-united-states-archive-race-and-ethnicity-ded1f517a0fd64bf1d55c448a06acccc/gallery/acd0f206fc1e4058b6bceb96afced4c0">recent report</a>&nbsp;found people of color are overrepresented on death rows nationwide. Some 40% of federal death row inmates are Black, compared with about 13% of the U.S. population. With growing scrutiny of who gets sentenced to die and why, support for the death penalty has waned, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/68b0dd3c252940a69729cf9480610988">fewer executions are done overall</a>. Virginia lawmakers recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virginia-death-penalty-repeal-governor-c98c16a996037a4d1e1d497787b7e6f1">voted to abolish it</a>.The death row prisoners expressed relief at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-leaves-white-house-ad718c0048c341d0044c4709fb23c8dd">Donald Trump’s departure from the White House</a>&nbsp;after he presided over more federal executions than any other president in 130 years. Gone is the ever-present fear that guards would appear at their cell door to say the warden needed to speak to them — dreaded words that meant your execution had been scheduled.They described death row as a close-knit community where bonds are forged. All said they were still reeling from seeing friends escorted away for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/executioners-sanitized-accounts-of-death-25d133f59039150c2e308ba1a2a5caef">execution by lethal injection</a>&nbsp;at a garage-size building nearby.“When it’s quiet here, which it often is, you’ll hear someone say, ‘Damn, I can’t believe they’re gone!’ We all know what they are referencing,” said Daniel Troya, sentenced in 2009 for participating in drug-related killings of a Florida man, his wife and their two children.The federal executions during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic">the coronavirus pandemic</a>&nbsp;were likely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-health-prisons-health-coronavirus-pandemic-executions-9c355b58c78492613eedbf1c7c1fb42c">superspreader events</a>. In December, 70% of the death row inmates had COVID-19, some possibly infected via air ducts through which they communicate.The AP attended all 13 federal executions.Five of the first six inmates executed were white. Six of the last seven were Black, including Dustin Higgs, the final inmate put to death, on Jan. 16 for ordering the killing of three Maryland women.Memories of speaking to Higgs just before his execution still pain Sherman Fields, who is on death row but has a resentencing for convictions in the killing of his girlfriend after escaping from a jail in Waco, Texas.“He kept saying he’s innocent and he didn’t want to die,” Fields, 46, said. “He’s my friend. It was very hard.”While there were rumors Biden would take action on the death penalty in his first days as president, there have been no announcements. As he grapples with issues like the coronavirus and the economy, capital punishment appears to be on a back burner.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdky/pr/death-penalty-sought-murder-fort-campbell-soldier" target="_blank">Meanwhile, federal prosecutors are still saying</a>&nbsp;they’ll pursue death sentences.Even if he’d hoped to, Biden can’t set aside the death penalty issue entirely. It came up Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/court-could-reimpose-dzhokhar-tsarnaev-death-sentence-719087dcbe7145514094fe3c7da8d9bf">when the Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;said it will consider a request — first made by the Trump administration — to reinstate the death sentence for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev that a lower court tossed in July. The Biden administration could chose to say the government no longer opposes the lower court decision, though that, like everything with the death penalty, would undoubtedly create controversy.The easiest step politically for Biden would be to simply instruct his Justice Department not to carry out any executions during his presidency. That would spare inmates’ lives for at least four years but would leave the door open for a future president to resume them.The inmates first learned federal executions would restart after 17 years in 2019 when the first inmates were put on execution lists. More were added throughout 2020.Through last year, inmates would flinch whenever they heard the jangle of thick key rings as a larger-than-normal contingent of guards entered their floor. That sound meant guards would soon stop at an inmate’s door and that he’d soon be in the warden’s office to be handed his death warrant.When a frantic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d758efe397b4443b22c79e2bfc65df84">Keith Nelson</a>, convicted of raping and killing a Kansas girl, kept saying a year ago he was sure he’d be selected next to die, one inmate yelled at him to “shut up,” that he was unnerving everyone else, Troya recalled. Nelson was executed on Aug. 28.Emotions ran high as execution days approached. As guards led condemned men away, other inmates shouted, “Come on! Fight ’em!” Troya said. None appeared to resist.Inmates can’t access the regular internet but could follow news of last-minute appeals on TVs in their cells. When broadcasts confirmed an execution had been carried out, Taylor said, a hush fell on death row, followed by a chorus of curses.Inmates know that Biden, while a senator, played a key role in passing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ae20ddaea4b51e57b5d7eff0f0c9ffcb">a 1994 crime bill</a>&nbsp;that increased federal crimes for which someone could be put to death.“I don’t trust Biden,” Troya said. “He set the rules to get us all here in the first place.”Several inmates said Brandon Bernard’s death was especially hard to process. They described him as introspective and kind. Bernard, convicted of participating in the Texas carjacking, robbery and killing of an Iowa couple, also organized a death-row crocheting group that shared patterns and knitting tips.“The gentlest guy on federal death row,” Fields said.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-race-and-ethnicity-prisons-killeen-13044e3f1ab9e0e140c57d8012b67abb">Bernard’s case</a>&nbsp;drew the attention of reality TV star Kim Kardashian and other celebrities, who pleaded on Twitter for Trump to commute his sentence.His lawyers said Bernard, 18 at the time and the lowest-ranking member of a street gang, was pressured to light a car on fire with Todd and Stacie Bagley’s bodies inside. They said he believed the Bagleys were already dead after a gang leader shot them in the head.He and co-defendant Christopher Vialva, both of whom were Black, were convicted by a nearly all-white Texas jury in 2000.Strapped to a cross-shaped gurney on Dec. 10, Bernard addressed the couple’s relatives in an adjoining death-chamber witness room, repeatedly apologizing and telling them he hoped his death would bring them closure.After his execution, Todd Bagley’s mother called the killings an “act of unnecessary evil.” She said the executions of Bernard and of Vialva months earlier did bring closure. But she also expressed gratitude to both for apologizing. Beginning to cry, she told reporters: “I can very much say — I forgive them.”Troya said he thinks often about Bernard, Vialva and Higgs, whom he considered close friends. All three, he said, had long since transformed themselves into better people and were mentoring other inmates.“They killed future prison role models,” he said. “So much potential, lost for nothing.”

On federal death row, inmates talk about Biden, executions

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Wary regulators have not approved a major railroad merger since the 1990s, but industry analysts say Canadian Pacific’s proposed $25 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern has a good chance of getting the green light because there is little overlap between the two lines.

The deal is also set to capitalize on growing trade across North America by creating the first railroad that would link the United States, Mexico and Canada. Executives at the companies say those opportunities should help the combined railroad generate more revenue.

The Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern deal announced Sunday would combine the two smallest of the major railroads into one entity. Independent railroad analyst Tony Hatch said doing that should help stabilize the industry overall and should not lead to another round of railroad mergers.

Some, however, are already expressing concern that the combination of the two railroads could hurt shippers if they are left with fewer options.

“The freight rail industry is already highly consolidated with a small number of railroads controlling most of the rail traffic in the United States and we are concerned that this merger could potentially lead to a greater concentration of market power,” said Scott Jensen, a spokesman for the chemicals industry trade group American Chemistry Council.

The service problems and economic damage that followed railroad mergers in the 1990s are part of why regulators adopted tough rules for major railroad mergers in 2001. Regulators have said that, generally, any merger involving a major railroad must enhance competition and serve the public interest. Similar deals are blocked in other industries only if there is a risk that competition will be reduced.

Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern said they expect U.S. railroad regulators at the Surface Transportation Board to complete their review of the deal by around the middle of 2022. A spokesman for the board didn’t immediately respond Monday to questions about how the deal will be reviewed.

Morningstar analyst Matthew Young said he doesn’t think the proposed deal will hurt competition overall because the railroads don’t compete directly now.

“These rails generally don’t compete head to head in specific markets, thus a merger shouldn’t result in fewer rail-service options for shippers in most corridors,” Young said Monday in a research note.

Edward Jones analyst Jeff Windau said he thinks there is a good chance the deal will be approved by regulators.

“There’s really no overlap on their lines. So I think there is really minimal impact on customers,” Windau said.

Executives at both the railroads argue that customers will be helped, not hurt, by the combination because they’ll be able to ship goods throughout North America without having to have shipments handed off between railroads.

“There’s savings across the board and benefits across the board that are so compelling,” Canadian Pacific CEO Keith Creel said. As railroad customers learn about the deal, “I think they are going to be excited by this — not threatened by this.”

Five years ago, Calgary, Alberta-based Canadian Pacific abandoned its roughly $30 billion attempt to takeover rival Norfolk Southern after it encountered strong opposition from Norfolk Southern, politicians, rail customers along the route and other railroads. So the new rules for railroad mergers still haven’t been tested.

But unlike then, the boards of both Kansas City Southern and Canadian Pacific unanimously backed this deal. The combined company would operate about 20,000 miles of railway, employ 20,000 people and generate annual revenue of about $8.7 billion. Both railroads said they expect to add jobs overall across the combined network as volume grows.

The deal values Kansas City Southern at $275 per share, which represents a significant premium to Friday’s closing price of $224. Kansas City Southern shareholders will receive 0.489 shares of Canadian Pacific stock and $90 cash as part of the deal, and they will control roughly 25% of the combined company.

The railroads said this deal is timed well because Mexico, the United States and Canada agreed to a new regional trade pact last year that is expected to boost trade and investment across North America.

Officials said Kansas City Southern’s base in Kansas City, Missouri, would become Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s new U.S. headquarters after the deal but Canadian Pacific’s current U.S. headquarters in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, will remain an important base of operations for the company.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Wary regulators have not approved a major railroad merger since the 1990s, but industry analysts say Canadian Pacific’s proposed $25 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern has a good chance of getting the green light because there is little overlap between the two lines.The deal is also set to capitalize on growing trade across North America by creating the first railroad that would link the United States, Mexico and Canada. Executives at the companies say those opportunities should help the combined railroad generate more revenue.The Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern deal announced Sunday would combine the two smallest of the major railroads into one entity. Independent railroad analyst Tony Hatch said doing that should help stabilize the industry overall and should not lead to another round of railroad mergers.Some, however, are already expressing concern that the combination of the two railroads could hurt shippers if they are left with fewer options.“The freight rail industry is already highly consolidated with a small number of railroads controlling most of the rail traffic in the United States and we are concerned that this merger could potentially lead to a greater concentration of market power,” said Scott Jensen, a spokesman for the chemicals industry trade group American Chemistry Council.The service problems and economic damage that followed railroad mergers in the 1990s are part of why regulators adopted tough rules for major railroad mergers in 2001. Regulators have said that, generally, any merger involving a major railroad must enhance competition and serve the public interest. Similar deals are blocked in other industries only if there is a risk that competition will be reduced.Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern said they expect U.S. railroad regulators at the Surface Transportation Board to complete their review of the deal by around the middle of 2022. A spokesman for the board didn’t immediately respond Monday to questions about how the deal will be reviewed.Morningstar analyst Matthew Young said he doesn’t think the proposed deal will hurt competition overall because the railroads don’t compete directly now.“These rails generally don’t compete head to head in specific markets, thus a merger shouldn’t result in fewer rail-service options for shippers in most corridors,” Young said Monday in a research note.Edward Jones analyst Jeff Windau said he thinks there is a good chance the deal will be approved by regulators.“There’s really no overlap on their lines. So I think there is really minimal impact on customers,” Windau said.Executives at both the railroads argue that customers will be helped, not hurt, by the combination because they’ll be able to ship goods throughout North America without having to have shipments handed off between railroads.“There’s savings across the board and benefits across the board that are so compelling,” Canadian Pacific CEO Keith Creel said. As railroad customers learn about the deal, “I think they are going to be excited by this — not threatened by this.”Five years ago, Calgary, Alberta-based Canadian Pacific abandoned its roughly $30 billion attempt to takeover rival Norfolk Southern after it encountered strong opposition from Norfolk Southern, politicians, rail customers along the route and other railroads. So the new rules for railroad mergers still haven’t been tested.But unlike then, the boards of both Kansas City Southern and Canadian Pacific unanimously backed this deal. The combined company would operate about 20,000 miles of railway, employ 20,000 people and generate annual revenue of about $8.7 billion. Both railroads said they expect to add jobs overall across the combined network as volume grows.The deal values Kansas City Southern at $275 per share, which represents a significant premium to Friday’s closing price of $224. Kansas City Southern shareholders will receive 0.489 shares of Canadian Pacific stock and $90 cash as part of the deal, and they will control roughly 25% of the combined company.The railroads said this deal is timed well because Mexico, the United States and Canada agreed to a new regional trade pact last year that is expected to boost trade and investment across North America.Officials said Kansas City Southern’s base in Kansas City, Missouri, would become Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s new U.S. headquarters after the deal but Canadian Pacific’s current U.S. headquarters in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, will remain an important base of operations for the company.

KC railroad deal seen more likely to gain regulators’ OK

KANSAS CITY (AP) — His last job was selling cars, but in his new gig, working to turn the tide against a pandemic, Herman Simmons knows not to be too pushy or overbearing.

He’s one of more than 50 outreach workers a Chicago hospital has enlisted to promote vaccination against COVID-19 in hard-hit Black and brown neighborhoods.

Their job is approaching strangers at laundromats, grocery stores and churches,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-do-we-know-covid-19-vaccines-safe-b688bd470d2eb8a74953dd34d29fd756">handing out educational material</a>&nbsp;and making vaccination appointments for those who are willing.

“I see myself as my brother’s keeper. I don’t try to force them. I’m persistent,” he said.

Top U.S. health officials say they’re in a race to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible as COVID-19 variants spread, mask and distancing rules are relaxed, and Americans crave a return to normalcy.

As part of these efforts, the Biden administration announced Thursday it will invest nearly $10 billion to expand vaccine access in communities of color, rural areas, low-income populations and other underserved communities. Some of the money will go to community health centers. Funding comes mostly from the American Rescue Plan.

While the U.S. is vaccinating roughly 2.5 million people daily and nearly 1 in 3 adults have received at least one shot, roughly that many say they are skeptical or won’t get vaccinated.

“There will be a hard core that never want to be vaccinated and we can’t do anything about that,” said Dr. Eric Toner, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

He said that number is unlikely to prevent effective control of the virus. To make sure it doesn’t, authorities are working to change minds and boost access in minority communities where skepticism is among the hurdles to vaccination.

They’re showcasing Black leaders getting shots, preaching vaccination benefits at Sunday services, holding Zoom meetings where experts dismantle the myths. Michigan is enlisting barber shops and salons. Mobile clinics have been set up to vaccinate Kentucky racetrack workers and California migrant workers.

In the socially distanced age of COVID-19, the in-the-trenches work of regular folk-turned-recruiters stands out.

Simmons is Black, amiable and talkative — a natural for this kind of work.

“I tell ’em I was a little afraid at first” about getting the shots, said Simmons, who quit the car dealership when co-workers got sick with the virus. He tells them he has friends and family members who’ve died, and how easy it is to sign up.

“I would like to say that I get more sign-ins than not,” Simmons said, “but I don’t think that’s the case.’’

“They don’t trust it. Some think the vaccines were made too quickly to be safe,” he said. “They feel like lab rats.”

That’s a common narrative. But it’s not the whole story.

For many Black people, mistrust of medical institutions is deep-seated. Their reasons are varied, vehement and often valid. And they don’t even start with Tuskegee, the U.S. government study that began in 1932 and withheld treatment for Black men with syphilis.

Mistrust stems from surgeries on enslaved women to the absence of Black people in studies that guide modern-day medical decisions. It includes mistaken assumptions claiming race-based biological differences, and disrespect in the doctor’s office.

Some are afraid of needles. Some believe internet myths. And some say they intend to get vaccinated but want to wait and see how others fare first. For some, the problem is no transportation to vaccination sites, no internet to get information on where and when to get vaccinated, or no regular physician. However, the shots are free and you don’t need a doctor to get them.

Some U.S. polls and statistics show hesitancy in some communities of color is falling, though vaccination rates are still highest among white people. In Chicago, the gap has narrowed but rates for first doses are 36% white people, 30% Hispanic people and 24% Black people.

On a chilly March Saturday, his battleground was a laundromat in a working-class neighborhood southwest of downtown Chicago. Saint Anthony Hospital had set up a makeshift center where recruits gathered as outreach workers took down contact information and arranged appointments.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — His last job was selling cars, but in his new gig, working to turn the tide against a pandemic, Herman Simmons knows not to be too pushy or overbearing.He’s one of more than 50 outreach workers a Chicago hospital has enlisted to promote vaccination against COVID-19 in hard-hit Black and brown neighborhoods.Their job is approaching strangers at laundromats, grocery stores and churches,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-do-we-know-covid-19-vaccines-safe-b688bd470d2eb8a74953dd34d29fd756">handing out educational material</a>&nbsp;and making vaccination appointments for those who are willing.“I see myself as my brother’s keeper. I don’t try to force them. I’m persistent,” he said.Top U.S. health officials say they’re in a race to vaccinate as many people as quickly as possible as COVID-19 variants spread, mask and distancing rules are relaxed, and Americans crave a return to normalcy.As part of these efforts, the Biden administration announced Thursday it will invest nearly $10 billion to expand vaccine access in communities of color, rural areas, low-income populations and other underserved communities. Some of the money will go to community health centers. Funding comes mostly from the American Rescue Plan.While the U.S. is vaccinating roughly 2.5 million people daily and nearly 1 in 3 adults have received at least one shot, roughly that many say they are skeptical or won’t get vaccinated.“There will be a hard core that never want to be vaccinated and we can’t do anything about that,” said Dr. Eric Toner, a senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.He said that number is unlikely to prevent effective control of the virus. To make sure it doesn’t, authorities are working to change minds and boost access in minority communities where skepticism is among the hurdles to vaccination.They’re showcasing Black leaders getting shots, preaching vaccination benefits at Sunday services, holding Zoom meetings where experts dismantle the myths. Michigan is enlisting barber shops and salons. Mobile clinics have been set up to vaccinate Kentucky racetrack workers and California migrant workers.In the socially distanced age of COVID-19, the in-the-trenches work of regular folk-turned-recruiters stands out.Simmons is Black, amiable and talkative — a natural for this kind of work.“I tell ’em I was a little afraid at first” about getting the shots, said Simmons, who quit the car dealership when co-workers got sick with the virus. He tells them he has friends and family members who’ve died, and how easy it is to sign up.Sometimes it’s a tough sell.“I would like to say that I get more sign-ins than not,” Simmons said, “but I don’t think that’s the case.’’“They don’t trust it. Some think the vaccines were made too quickly to be safe,” he said. “They feel like lab rats.”That’s a common narrative. But it’s not the whole story.For many Black people, mistrust of medical institutions is deep-seated. Their reasons are varied, vehement and often valid. And they don’t even start with Tuskegee, the U.S. government study that began in 1932 and withheld treatment for Black men with syphilis.Mistrust stems from surgeries on enslaved women to the absence of Black people in studies that guide modern-day medical decisions. It includes mistaken assumptions claiming race-based biological differences, and disrespect in the doctor’s office.Some are afraid of needles. Some believe internet myths. And some say they intend to get vaccinated but want to wait and see how others fare first. For some, the problem is no transportation to vaccination sites, no internet to get information on where and when to get vaccinated, or no regular physician. However, the shots are free and you don’t need a doctor to get them.Some U.S. polls and statistics show hesitancy in some communities of color is falling, though vaccination rates are still highest among white people. In Chicago, the gap has narrowed but rates for first doses are 36% white people, 30% Hispanic people and 24% Black people.Simmons is on a mission to change that.On a chilly March Saturday, his battleground was a laundromat in a working-class neighborhood southwest of downtown Chicago. Saint Anthony Hospital had set up a makeshift center where recruits gathered as outreach workers took down contact information and arranged appointments.Masked and carrying a folder of vaccine information, Simmons approached Tasha McClinton, 34, a stylish Black woman with long blond tresses pulling clothes from an orange duffel bag and heaving them into a washer.His shirt was the first pitch, emblazoned with the words, “It’s Worth the Shot,” and an image of a syringe. Next he offered to sign her up. McClinton shook her head no and listed her reasons.She hasn’t been sick, she said, and no one in her family has gotten COVID-19. “It might cause me to have complications,” she added. Simmons accepted that and walked away.But he returned a few minutes later, apologizing “if I caught you off guard,” and told her: “I was just really interested in why you aren’t interested.’’ She said she doesn’t trust the shots and declined his pamphlets.“You don’t want to be really pushy,” Simmons said later. “You got to be a good judge of character too.’’C.B. Johnson, who runs a Chicago drug recovery group in the Black neighborhood where he grew up, is helping people there get vaccinated. He said that insider cred helps. So does patience.“We deal with a lot of people that a lot of people don’t want to deal with,” Johnson said. “We’re able to give them the option to say, ‘Hey, if you want to do it we can get you there, but if you don’t, we will still be here when you decide that you want to.‘’’“When you listen to what their concerns are and you hear them out and you validate their concerns, and then you come back and explain to them, ‘Hey, look, I mean what happens if you catch COVID? Would you rather have the vaccine that helps you?’”Community activist Debra Stanley helps lead a support group for former drug users and ex-offenders in South Bend, Indiana. Vaccination was the topic at a recent meeting, and skeptics spoke up.When Goodwill employee Sonya Chandler mentioned seeing social media posts about weird vaccine side effects, Darryl McKinney, an Air Force vet, whipped out his cellphone and read Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information aloud.Stanley gently chided in responding: “Darryl got his information from CDC, you got yours from Facebook. Know your sources.”Still, McKinney said he doesn’t trust the U.S. government and won’t get vaccinated.“Last time I was at my barber, a few guys were talking about it,” McKinney said. “We’re not going to be guinea pigs.’’Stanley said she’s not out to twist arms.“Our whole thing is staying abreast of all the information and making sure the latest gets to the people,” she said. “We don’t ever believe it’s our role to promote a decision. It is our role to ensure that people have the best information when they get ready to make their decision.’’Chandler said later that the meeting “made me more aware. Now I’m looking at it as, well, I may as well get the shot because it will help the rest of the community to not get sick.”Back at the Chicago laundromat, Simmons scored a win with Theopulis Polk, a 62-year-old demolition worker he approached on the sidewalk. The gray-bearded Black man readily agreed to sign up. Inside, he retrieved a wad of dog-eared paper scraps from the pocket of his faded green coveralls, fumbling to find the one where his phone number was scrawled.“I’ve been wanting to get vaccinated but I don’t have no primary doctor,” Polk said. He said he knows people who’ve died from COVID-19, and works around people who don’t wear masks. He lives in this neighborhood, so getting to the vaccination site at nearby Saint Anthony’s won’t be difficult.“I’m scared of needles. I hate to get any kind of shots. But you have to,” Polk said. “I’m not worried because I’ve got God on my side.’’